Social Learning - India

A Project of Grade 10

Every year in spring, our grade 10 students go on a school trip to the Indian state Kerala for two weeks. The "India Charity and Social Learning Project" originated in 2004 and illustrates the importance the school places on sustainability. The project's theme is GESS' guiding principles of "Learning, Living, Giving".

For both students and parents, this project is a great challenge. It was brought into being in cooperation with the catholic congregation, and this reliable partnership helps to instill trust in students and their parents. Every year, six months prior to the school trip, important development projects are agreed on-site. Alternatively, projects that were started previously will be continued. This way, a street has been built over the course of four years. Furthermore, a 150,000 liter water tank for the village community and a refuge house for mentally ill women have all been constructed.

Afterwards, our 10th graders are always thoroughly impressed about the contact to this totally different world, in which meals consist of "rice, rice and more rice". They internalise all previously mentioned aspects of C.A.R.E through this project. It is an adventure that shapes them for life, changes their perspective and induces courage and humility - an "antiquated" word, which, however, can certainly add value to today's "fun generation's" idea of life.

How do the students deal with this profound experience? Maturation can only take place when space and time for reflection are given. Intensive talks take place after the trip. A presentation for parents and the following 9th grades is a fixed component of the programme as well.

The English speaking European Section of GESS is a fully fledged International Baccalaureate World School, and one of the few in the world who are authorised to deliver the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (IBDP).

Since opening in 2005, the European Section has grown rapidly to become a school with a reputation for quality education with a strong community feel. We now have over 600 students. The vast majority of our students are European passport holders, for whom GESS represents a vital connection with home. Students are thus provided with a safe, friendly and familiar environment in which they are challenged to thrive as they grow into independent and responsible global citizens.

Our academic and pastoral programmes are designed to support this demographic and ultimately to prepare our students for returning to Europe or for entry into European universities. To this end we endeavor to support mother tongue language acquisition so that our students do not lose this vital connection with their home culture. Fortunately, given the high entry requirements into European schools and colleges, this also means that our students are especially well prepared for study all over the world, particularly North America, the UK and Australia.

The Pre-School department provides education from 18 month to 6 years in either English or German. Children are placed in groups according to their age.

Since the school was founded in 1971, the school has evolved into a school with two sections. As an accredited “Excellent German School Abroad”, the German Section of the German European School Singapore (GESS) offers all major German school leaving certificates. The European Section is an authorized IB World School offering education in English across all three IB programmes.

The German Section supports the students to develop their German roots. We give them wings for the linguistic demands of a globalized world through our differentiated English programme from grade 1 onwards. In secondary school some subjects are taught in English. Our students are benefitting from numerous bonding activities and have additional space to enjoy the internationality of the school.

Our Pre-Schooldepartment provides education from 18 month to 6 years in either English or German. Children are placed in groups according to their age.